Biographical similarities between spiritual healers and their clients in Germany – a qualitative study

Abstract

Spiritual healers in contemporary Germany comprise a heterogeneous and growing group, yet little data exists about them. Therefore, one aim of this study was to learn about which biographical aspects and events were important to the process of becoming a healer and which biographical aspects drove clients to consult a healer. The study was based on semi-structured interviews combined with participant observations. All data were recorded digitally, transcribed, entered into the software program MAXQDA and analysed subjected to Content Analysis. In total, 15 healers (nine male, six female) and 16 clients (13 female, three male) were included. According to the healers, a talent for healing can be inborn, inherited or developed through life experiences. Most of the healers experienced a crisis, which prompted their transformation to healers (the wounded healer type). A smaller group became healers mainly out of interest without going through crisis and by focusing on the spiritual attitude itself (the healer by interest type). The basis of healing is seen as a connection to a transcendent reality, which enables an open, loving and empathetic attitude. The experience of crises and illnesses and the importance of spirituality are major biographical similarities between healers and clients. Near-death experiences as an extreme form of crisis were reported from a few healers and clients. The connections between healing talents and crises, including a deepened exploration of near-death experiences and questions regarding inclining towards spirituality could be of interest in further studies.

Healing Relationships: A Qualitative Study of Healers and Their Clients in Germany

“…This transformation often took many years and was often accompanied and supported by other spiritual healers and teachers. However, some of the interviewees (all with CAM or medical background) talked about becoming a healer out of sheer interest and learning to heal by attending courses in spiritual healing (for more details, see [ 38 ]).…”

“…All data were discussed by the entire team according to the different disciplines and perspectives [ 36 ]. Thus, concepts from anthropological and religious studies related to our findings (e.g., concepts of embodiment and radical empathy) [ 37 , 38 ] and medically important aspects, such as symptoms or outcomes [ 39 ], could be integrated.…”

Transformational Changes in Health Status: A Qualitative Exploration of Healing Moments

“…In biomedicine, the role of doctor and patient are treated as distinct, 9 but in healing, there is more flexibility. Clients sometimes decide to become healers, 29 and healers continue to seek healing for themselves, and to experience it while treating others. This flexibility is conducive to compassion; the healer shares in the client's healing as well as their suffering.…”

“…40 Consequently, clients were enabled to take control, in what has been described as a self-healing capacity. 6,29,31 Teut et al have previously noted self-helplike aspects in clients, such as "I totally opened myself, to my own abilities". 40(p4) Like our sample of healers, Teut et al reported that empowering people to change was a core part of the healer's role.…”

Quantum Anthropology: Man, Cultures, and Groups in a Quantum Perspective

“…The research of psycho-spiritual healers and their clients focuses both on traditional ways of healing as well as on new, emerging psycho-spiritual healing practices. The basis of psycho-spiritual healing is often seen as a connection to a transcendent, nonempirical reality, which enables acquiring a new, trans- ( 39 ) formed life attitude (Stoeckigt et al, 2015). The psycho-somatic complex of some people undergoes a radical change during their life trajectories.…”